Method and apparatus for using programmable logic device (PLD) logic for decompression of configuration data

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a method for programming a programmable logic device (PLD) may include reading configuration data from a memory device to program a first portion of a PLD to function as a data decompression circuit ( 304, 308 ). Compressed configuration data may then be read and decompressed by the first portion and used to program a second portion ( 310, 312, 315 ) with a user determined function. A first portion may then be reprogrammed with a user determined function ( 320, 324 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method, comprising the steps of: 
       programming a first portion of programmable circuits to provide at least a first data decompression function; and  
       decompressing configuration data with the first portion to program a second portion of the programmable circuits.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further including: 
       reprogramming the first portion with configuration data.  
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein: 
       reprogramming the first portion includes reading uncompressed configuration data from a memory device.  
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein: 
       reprogramming the first portion includes reading compressed configuration data from a memory device, decompressing said configuration data with the first portion, and storing said decompressed configuration data.  
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       programming a first portion includes reading uncompressed configuration data from a memory device.  
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       decompressing configuration data includes reading compressed configuration data from a memory device.  
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       programming a first portion includes resetting the programmable circuits into at least one predetermined decompression function.  
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further including: 
       reprogramming a first portion to perform a second data decompression function that is different than the at least one first decompression function.  
     
     
       9. A method, comprising the steps of: 
       enabling one of a plurality of decompression functions on a programmable logic device (PLD) having programmable circuits; and  
       programming at least a portion of the programmable circuits according to configuration data decompressed on the PLD according to the enabled decompression function.  
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein: 
       enabling one of a plurality of decompression functions includes programming a first portion of the programmable circuits to perform at least one decompression function.  
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein: 
       enabling one of a plurality of decompression functions includes programming the first portion with decompressed configuration data read from a memory device; and  
       programming at least a portion of the PLD includes programming a second portion of the programmable circuits according to compressed data read from the memory device that is decompressed by the first portion.  
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further including: 
       reprogramming the first portion to perform a different function than the one decompression function.  
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein: 
       enabling one of a plurality of decompression functions include selecting one of a plurality of fixed decompression circuits formed on the PLD.  
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein: 
       selecting one of a plurality of fixed decompression circuits includes reading selection data from a memory device, and selecting the one fixed decompression circuit according to said selection data.  
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10 , wherein: 
       the PLD and memory device are different integrated circuits.  
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 10 , wherein: 
       enabling one of a plurality of decompression functions includes resetting the programmable circuits to a reset state that includes at least the one decompression function.  
     
     
       17. A semiconductor device, comprising: 
       programmable circuits that may be configured by configuration data; and  
       fixed circuits formed in the same substrate as the programmable circuits, the fixed circuits providing one of a plurality of data decompression functions according to a select value.  
     
     
       18. The semiconductor device of  claim 17 , wherein: 
       the fixed circuits include a plurality of decompression circuits that each provide a different function, one of the fixed circuits being enabled according to the select value.  
     
     
       19. The semiconductor device of  claim 17 , wherein: 
       the fixed circuits include a plurality of decompression circuits that each provide a different function, access to one of the fixed circuits being enabled according to the select value.  
     
     
       20. The semiconductor device of  claim 17 , wherein: 
       the select value includes data r read from a memory device.